Chapter 37: When The King Falls

Chapter 37: When The King Falls

Riccardo rushed in first when they arrived back at the mansion.

Luca followed…slowly.

A little too slowly.

The strong and confident stride that defined him was gone, and his usual aura of dominance suddenly looked like a candle that was struggling to stay lit. Blood was still slowly flowing from his shoulder, spreading in a thick patch of his shirt that could not be overlooked.

A maid carrying fresh linens froze instantly in the hallway, her eyes widening in horror as gasped.

“D…Don Luca?”

Before Riccardo could even bark orders, panic had broken loose.

Servants scrambled in all directions to grab first aid supplies and napkins, while the surrounding guards who had been startled at the sight of their Don swaying and gripping his shoulder with visible strain, ran for whatever they thought might help. A few guards rushed toward them, with obvious fear on their faces because the sight of Luca Moretti injured was something they had never prepared for.

He was the immovable pillar of this house, and he was not supposed to bleed. Riccardo grabbed Luca’s good arm and tried to steady him.

“Luca, you need to sit. You’re losing too much…”

“I said I’m fine.” Luca’s voice was low and strained, but it remained sharp. He tried to pull away, taking another step.

The step trembled.

“Your doctor isn’t here yet,” Riccardo snapped. “You’re not standing around with a bullet in you…”

“I just need…” Luca exhaled weakly, clearly struggling to stay steady. “Just need him to remove the bullet. Nothing more.”

The effort it took for him to finish that sentence was obvious.

Servants still hovered in hesitation, terrified to approach but more terrified to ignore the situation. A few stepped forward to offer support, but Luca shot them a glare that halted them in their steps.

“No fuss. No noise,” he ordered. “Everyone return to…”

And then his legs buckled before he could even finish the statement. It didn’t look real at first…just a slight dip of his knees, and Riccardo immediately tried to catch him, but Luca brushed him off stubbornly and attempted another step.

That was when his strength finally betrayed him and his body gave out completely and he collapsed with a heavy thud.

Riccardo swore loudly and dropped to his knees beside him immediately.

“Luca! Hey…Luca!” He slapped his cheek lightly. “Stay with me…dammit, stay awake!”

Amidst the chaos, Isabella had arrived at the staircase just in time to see him hit the floor, and her heart had almost stopped.

The flood of different emotions that suddenly came over her was instant, brutal, and unwelcome. She felt fear, anger, confusion, and desperation all at the same time.

He just lay there on the cold floor, completely motionless while Riccardo and some servants who had returned with napkins and a first aid kit fussed over him.

A memory flashed…Luca standing in front of her, yelling at the guard who hit her. That one memory soon led to others…Luca barking out orders to protect her. Luca, ruthlessly coming to her defense again and again.

And now..He was bleeding, and she couldn't stand to see him in that condition.

“Luca!” She shouted before she could stop herself, running as hard as she could down the steps, and nearly losing her footing in her haste.

Servants made way quickly for her, creating a path as she dropped to her knees beside him with tears already moistening her eyes.

Her hands hovered over him…trembling visibly, but she forced her voice to remain calm.

“What the hell happened to him?” she demanded, glaring savagely at Riccardo.

Riccardo couldn't bring himself to look at her, and she couldn't tell if it was because he was still worried about Luca, or because he didn't see her as someone who deserves an answer from him.

After a few seconds however, Riccardo finally muttered an answer to her.

“He was shot in a fucked up meeting.”

“Shot?” She asked anxiously before she pulled herself together again. “Why wasn’t I told earlier? I would have called in a doctor before you arrived.”

“Because it was none of your business,” Riccardo snapped at her, with anger, stress, and fear all mixed into his voice.

Isabella shot him a vicious death stare. “Everything that concerns him is my business.”

Her tone was so cold that Riccardo chose to ignore her before it escalated into something else. Luca was more important at the moment, and saving his life came before everything else.

Isabella turned back to Luca. His eyes were half open and unfocused, with pain written all over his face as he struggled to breathe normally.

“Isabella…” he murmured.

Her heart thudded wildly.

“Don’t talk,” she said sternly. “Save your strength.”

He tried to chuckle…it was weak and broken, but undeniably Luca.

“You’re… yelling again…”

Her fingertips brushed his cheek.

“Because you’re being stupid again,” she whispered to him.

Riccardo looked away in apparent disgust at the sudden show of affection, while the servants watched in surprise at how the rude and cold supposed ex wife was suddenly showing a different part of her.

Two guards lifted Luca gently, but he groaned and Isabella snapped at them immediately.

“Careful with him! He’s hurt!”

“Boss needs a doctor,” Riccardo muttered. “Not pillows and worry.”

Isabella whipped her head toward him.

“If you don’t shut up I’ll…”

“Please,” Luca murmured as his eyes opened slowly again. He lifted his uninjured hand weakly toward her. “I’m fine, Isabella.”

“You’re not fine,” she shot back. “You’re bleeding through your shirt and could barely stand!”

He blinked slowly, struggling to focus.

“Just… get my doctor.”

“He’s on his way already,” Riccardo said. “Ten minutes tops.”

“Good.” Luca tried to push himself upright but Isabella pressed her hand on his chest firmly.

“Do not get up,” she ordered.

He looked at her deeply, and for a moment the entire hall went silent.

She was breathing hard, and her eyes were bright with anger…or panic…while her hands trembled against him. She felt exposed, and vulnerable, as if everyone could see the turmoil that was brewing inside her despite her cold exterior.

Luca’s lips curved slowly.

“You were worried about me weren't you, Bella?”

She froze, and then straightened herself instantly.

“No I wasn’t.”

“You ran to me.”

“I ran because you collapsed like an idiot.”

“You’re… yelling again,” he murmured, breath weakening. “Means you care.”

“Shut up,” she whispered.

His eyes fluttered closed again.

A pang of pain shot through her chest, one so painful that it almost stole her breath.

She cupped his cheek.

“Luca?”

There was no response.

“Luca! Open your eyes!”

“He’s still conscious,” Riccardo reassured. “Barely, but he is. He just needs the bullet out.”

Isabella leaned closer, until her forehead nearly touched his.

“You’re not allowed to collapse on me. Do you hear me? I didn’t come all the way to New York for you to die in front of me.”

His lips twitched weakly.

“Bossy…”

Tears stung her eyes…furious, and unwelcome tears that she blinked away ruthlessly.

“Shut up,” she repeated.

The guards carried him carefully into their bedroom, laying him gently on the bed. Isabella stayed glued to his side, refusing to let anyone else touch him unless she approved.

Riccardo stood nearby, pacing and muttering in worry as they waited for the doctor.

“This is bad. He lost too much blood.”

Isabella glared at him again.

“Don’t talk about him as if he’s dying.”

“He might if the bloody doctor doesn't get here soon!” Riccardo yelled back at her.

She surged to her feet and went to stand in his front.

“Say that again, you asshole!”

Riccardo met her stare head on with fire in his own eyes.

“Look, princess, your attitude is already…”

Luca exhaled weakly from the bed.

“Both of you… shut up…”

The argument died instantly, and they spent the next few minutes in silence as Riccardo resumed his pacing, while Isabella hurried back to Luca's side.

Luca’s breathing grew shallower with every passing second, and Isabella’s anxiety spiked with each one.

When the doors finally burst open and the doctor rushed in with a medical bag, Isabella’s heart almost burst with relief.

The doctor looked horrified when he saw Luca.

“Dear God…how long has he been like this?”

“Too long,” Isabella snapped. “Get it out!”

“Step back, Ms. Lorenzo, I need room to work…”

“He’s my husband,” she snapped instinctively without thinking. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Even Riccardo lifted his brows in surprise as she uttered, and she gasped, clasping a hand to her mouth. She realized the implication of what she had just said, but it was not something she could take back, and she hoped that Luca wouldn't be able to remember it or use it against her later.

The doctor worked swiftly, ordering the guards that had escorted him in to hold Luca steady. When he began extracting the bullet, Luca jerked violently, grinding his teeth in pain.

Isabella grabbed his hand instantly, and she found herself whispering to soothe the pain he was feeling.

“Stay with me, Luca. Breathe. Don’t you dare pass out on us again.”

His fingers tightened around hers.

The procedure was brutal, but Luca somehow held on…because she was there.

Finally, with a soft metallic clink, the doctor dropped the bullet into a metal tray.

“It’s out,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow. “He needs rest…Lots of it. And when I say rest, I mean no stress, no arguments, and no emotional agitation.”

Isabella sighed with relief, while Riccardo rubbed his face with both hands, also relieved despite himself.

Luca’s eyes fluttered open, tired and hazy.

The first thing he saw…was her.

“Hey,” he whispered.

Her throat tightened.

“You scared everyone.”

He grinned sheepishly.

“

Scared you too.”

“No. Not at all. Not even close,” she lied.

He squeezed her hand and smiled again, then he fainted…